Flexible coupling



Dec. 27, 1932. R. A. HINKLEY FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed March 26. 1950 Inventor. Rog AHmkleg, l MV His Atbov'neg Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNI-TED STATES PATENT .Fries RAY A. HINKLEY, F ER'IE, PENNSYLVANXA, ASSEGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC CGMPANY, A COR-POBATON OF ETEW YORK FLEXIBLE Appiieauon mea March 2e, 195e. serial N'o. 439,207.

My invent-ion relates to flexible couplings of the type employed for connecting together tworotatable parts in such manner as to permit their moving with respect to each other.

rIhe object of my invention is the provision of ai flexible coupling of this type which is of simple and rugged construction, and' in which the bearings of the coupling can bev v inthe following description referring to the c' accompanying draw-ing, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention willl be pointedl out with particularity inA the claims annexed to-and forming a part of this w specification.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is atransverse section of an electric locomotive embodying my invention; Fig. 2 isa section, partly broken away approximately, onv the line 2 2 of` Fig. 1;V Fig. 3 is a sectionon the line 3--3A of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the adjacent endsof the arms of the coupling, and Fig. 5-is aV sectional view` showing the universal-conecti'on between the linksof the cou- Y pling'and' the driving gear pins of the locomotive.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown my improved flexible coupling in connection with a locomotive having driving wheels which are rigidly mounted on an axle 11` in accordance with the usual practice. The locomotive includes side frames 12 arranged outside of the drivingwheels and connected by cross-ties 13 which constitute the frame structure of the locomotive. This frame J structure is supported on the axle 11 by a spring system which includesY springs 14' resting intermediate the ends thereof on saddles 'l5-extending about the side frames 12 and resting on outsi de journalboxes 16 lwhich If are slidablyfitted in pedestaljaws of the side frames. A quill shaft 18' is arranged about' the axle 11 and supported in bearings 19v formed integral withthe vfsa-me of aV double motor 17 which drives the locomotive. The motor'is provided with pinions 20 which mesh with a driving gear 21V mounted on the' quill shaft 18. Themotor', pinion, driving' gear, and quill shaft constitute a unitary structure which is supported on the cross-ties 13' of the locomotive'. y j 4 l In a locomotive of this construction it is necessary to provide a flexible coupling be'- tvween the driving gear and 'the' driving wheels which will not restrict movement of the frame of the locomotive with respect to the axle 11, which occurs whenever the l'o'comotive rounds' a curve, or passes over irreg# ularities in the track, because of the resi liencyj of the spring suspension system.

In accordance with my invention this-flexible coupling is obtained by pivotally connecting two arms intermediate the endsthereof tothe driving wheel, providing'a slidable and pivotal connection between the adjacent ends of the arms, and connecting the otherends of the arms to the driving gear. It will be understood of course thatthejparticular arrangement of the parts will be varied toy make the coupling applicable to the locomotive construction, or to any other construction with which itis used. In the particular con-v struction illustrated, l provide two arms 22S and 23 (Figs. 3 and 4) which are pivotally supportedl intermediate the ends thereof on pins 24 and 25 rigidly secured to the driving wheelas indicated at 26 and 27. Theadjacen't ends cf the arms 22 and 23 are slidably' and pivotally connected together in such manner as to provide a simple and compactrv construction which is adequate to transmit the forces to which the coupling is subjected, and which can be readily enclosed so as to exclude dust and dirt and provide a lubricating chamber. This slidable and pivotal connection is formed by slotting the end ofthe armv 22, as indi'- cated at 28, to receive the end 29 of the arm 23, providing transversely aligned slots 30 and 31 in the adjacent ends of the arms,- and providing a member 32 extending through the openings inthe arms-l and having ballv bearings 33 and 34 thereon which fit the sides of the openings and 31 respectively. The openings 30 and 31 are somewhat elongated, as shown in F ig.v4, and are formed to closely fit the outer race of the ball bearings, as indicated at 35in Fig. 4, and to provide a slight clearance at the sides thereof, as indicated at 36 and 37. In this way the member 32 and the ball bearingscarried thereby form a mechanical connection between the adjacent ends of the arms which transmits the force supplied to the coupling other without restricting their flexibility.

In order to keep the ball bearings 33 and 34 in correct alignment and also retain them in the same relation with respect to each of the arms I provide parallel guides 38 and 39 in the wheel 10 and in the plate 4() respectively, bushings 41 and 42 being fitted on the ends f of the member 32 and flattened to fit the guides. i

In order to enclose the adjacent endsof the arms 22 and 23 so as to exclude dust and dirt and provide a lubricating chamber for l the connection between them. I form a recess 43 in the wheel which extends about the adjacent ends of the coupling land is large enough to permit the movement of the arms required withinthe range of flexibility of the coupling. The recess 43 is formed with an arcuate bearing surface 44 which lits the arcuate surface of the armsr about the pins on which they are pivotally mounted` and these joints may be packed, if desired, toprevent Y the leakage of oil from recess 43. The adjacent ends of the arms are enclosed in the recess 43 by the plate 40. Non-adjacent ends of the arms 22 and 23of the coupling are connected to the driving gear21, of the locomotive by links 45 and 46 having a universal connection with the endsof the arms as dicated at 47 and 48, andalso with'the driving gear pins 49 and 50, as shown in Fig. The driving gear pins extendbetween the spokes of the driving wheel to theroutside thereof sothat vthe entire exible coupling is arranged outside of the wheel making it readily accessible for inspection or repair.

As shown `in Fig. 5 the universal connection between the link 45 andthe driving gear pin 49 comprises a truncated sphere 51 which is `rigidly secured to the pin 49 b v a nut 52, on which are fitted bearings 53V secured in the opening 54 inthe end of the link 45 bv bolts 55. This Vuniversal connection is inclosed b v a cap 56and a plate 57 to retain oil, and oil is supplied thereto through passage 58 from the reservoir 59 which can be filled through the connection 60. The other universal connections between the ends of the links 45 and 46 and the arms and the driving gear pins may be lubricated ina similar manner. g. j

The foregoing described construction provides a flexible` coupling between the driving from one arm to .the

gear and the driving wheel of the locomotive which transmits torque from the driving gear to the driving wheel in all positions of the frame and the structure carried thereby with respect to the axle. Irregularities 1n the track may cause the axle 11 to be moved out of the center of the quill '18 due to vertical movement of the axle with respect to the frame. It will be apparent that this movement of the axle with respect to the quill requires that the Vcoupling be radially flexible in all positions of the driving wheel with respect to the frame. The quill 18 may also be tilted out of alignment with axle 11 due to irregularities in the track, or a certain amount of axial movement of the quill with respect to the axle ymay take place due to swaying of the frame on the spring suspension system. The coupling which I have described freely permits of these relative movements between the driving gear and the wheel of the locomotive whilev transmitting the torquebetween the driving gear and the driving wheel at all times with only a slight variation in angular velocity ratio between the gear and the wheel.

In theposition of the driving wheel shown in Figs. k1 and 2 vertical movement ofthe quill 18 and driving gear 21 with respect to the axle 11, to which relative movement they are restricted by the-pedestal jaws engaging the journal boxes, causes vertical movement of the driving pins 49 and. 50. This vertical movement causes the links 45 and 46 to swing the arms 22 and 23 about the pins 24 and 25, and the member 32 with the ball bearings 33 and 34 thereon is-restrained to a vertical path by the parallel guideways38 andv 39. If the driving gear 21 is applying torque to' the driving wheel to cause its rotation in a clockf wise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, the lilik 45 will be subjected toa tension stress and the link 46 will be subjected to a compression stress. The stressesto which these links are subjected are vequal and opposite and act through the arms 22 and23, which are pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to the driving wheel and to each other at the adjacent ends, to counterbalance each other in all positions of the driving gear with respect to the ldriving wheel so that the torque which the driving gear exerts Vis transmitted to thedriving wheel in all positions of the driving gear with respect to the wheel. The forces are similarly balanced vif torque is transmitted in the opposite direction. If there is any tilting or axial movement of the quill with respect to the axle the 'universal connection between the ends of the links 45 and 46 and the driving gear pins and the ends of the arms of the coupling permit this movement. j lVhcn the driving gear is turned 90 degrees from `the position shown in Figs. l and 2, then vertical movement of the quill 18 with respect to the axle 11 causes the links 45 andfi toturn= about theirunivensalgpivotal: connections at the opposite' ends thereof, there being ai slight turning" of the arms 22: and4 23 about thein pivotal suppontsto com-- pensate for the angular movement ofi the links. It will tliusfbefseen that the-couplingf provides free radial movement of the quill-y l8= andi driving. gean Q1. with respect to the axle andy the driving wheels' in: all positions of the wheel with respect. to the frameof the locomotive. 'Ille` angular. velocity ratio between the=drivingfgear and: the `driving wheel remains substantially constant-i in this construction. because the links 45 and 46 are moved only very slightly out of parallel relation with each other within the limits of flexibility of the coupling.

Although I have described my improved coupling in connection with a particular locomotive construction. I do not desire my invention to be limited thereto, and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modilications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

IVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A flexible coupling including two rotatable elements, two arms each pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to one of said rotatable elements, means for pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of said arms together on substantially the same axis, said ends being relatively slidable, and means for connecting the other ends of said arms to l the other of said rotatable elements.

2. A flexible coupling including two rotatable elements, two arms each pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to one of said rotatable elements, a pivotal member, means for slidably and pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of said arms together about the axis of said pivotal member, and means for connecting the other ends of .said arms to the other of said rotatable elements.

3. A flexible coupling including two rotatable elements, two arms each pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to one of said rotatable elements, means including a member extending substantially parallel to the axes of the pivots for said arms and pivotally connected to the adjacent ends of said arms on substantially the same axis for connecting them together, said ends being relatively slidable, and means for connecting the other ends of said arms to the other of said rotatable elements.

4. A flexible coupling including two rotatable elements, two arms each pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to one of said rotatable elements, means including a member slidably and pivotally connected to the adjacent ends of said arms for connecting them together, means carried by one of said rotatable elements for guiding said member, .and meaiisxfon connecting the. other ends ofsaid' arms to the. other of said rotat-ablej elements.l

5.. A= ilexible coupling: including two rotatable; elements, two arms each; pivotally connected intermediate-the ends thereof to oneof saidirotatableelements,.means for pivotall'y'connecting: the-adjacent ends of said arms-togetheron substantially the same'axis, said ends being relatively slidable saidl rotat'able element to=which said arms are-pivotally connected. having: av recess extending aboutsaidarms anda covercooperating with said recess to: enclose1 said arms,l and means for connecting the-other'end'sjof said armste the other rotatable element.

6. Ailexible' coupling including, two rotatable elements, two arms` each pivot'ed in-l termediate,- the ends-'thereof toY one of said rotatable'elements, the adjacent. ends of said arms having` transverselyr aligned openings, means including-f az member.: extendingl through, thee openings f inv saidf arms 1 for providing al sliding` pivotal connection: between them,L and means for connecting; thev other ends-of` saidarms to theotherJofsaidrotatable'elements';

7'. A iiexible coupling` includingl two rotatable elements, two arms eaclif pivoted: intermediate the.' ends thereof to= oney off said rotatable elements, .the adjacent endsl of said arms-having; transversely.' aligned. openings,

means .includingrafmember extending lthrough ther openings inA said: arms-Y fory providing" af sliding.- pivotab connection between; them; means carriediby oneofz said rotatable-ele'- ments forgniding. said?. member, and' means for. connectingfthe other. ends of said: arms 4to the other of said rotatable elements..

8f. A. flexible. coupling".` including: two rotatableelements, two pins secured'to one off said: rotatable` elements, twoarms pivotally` mountedl intermediatethe ends thereof on saith pins:l and lia-.ving transverselyl aligned openingsin theadj acent. ends thereof, means including ai member extendingy through saidV aligned' openings for connecting'tlies adj acent ends of saidiarms, and meansfbn connectingl the.L other. ends off said armstothe other of said: rotatable: elements.. f

9. A flexible coupling including: two rotatable element's, two vpins secured: tofone of said retatableelements, two arms pivotally mountedintermediate the ends-thereof on saidrpins and havingl transversely' aligned: openings in the adjacent: ends thereof, means including a; member extending; throughJ said aligned openings lfon connecting: theyadj acentl ends of saidr arms,,a guidefon'saidi member mounted ont said pins;. and means` for'connecting the other ends of said'arms-:to the'other rotatabley element, means for pivotallyconnecting the adjacent ends of said arms on substantially the same axis, said ends being relatively slidable, and means for lenclosing the-adjacent ends ofsaid arms between Athe pivotal connections with said rotatable element.

1l. A flexible coupling including' a rotat-` able element, arms pivotally connected in-ff terinediate the ends thereof to said rotatable element, means for pivotally connecting the adjacent ends ofV said arms on substantially the sameV axis, said ends being relatively slidable, and means including a portion fitting said arms about said pivotal connections for enclosing the 'adjacent ends of saidarms. v

12. A flexible coupling includingarotatable element, arms pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to said rotatable element, means for pivotally connecting theadjacent ends of said arms on=siibstantiallyy the same axis, said ends being'relatively slidable,-said rotatable element having. a recess extending aboutfsaid arms land said connecting means and arranged toform a jointwith' said arms about their pivotal connection with said rotatable element, and means cooperating with the recess in said rotatable element'- for'enclosing the adjacent endsof said arms.

13. vA flexible coupling Lincluding-two rotatable elements, two arms each pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to'one of said rotatable elements,

arms together on substantially the same axis, said adjacent ends being relatively slidable, and links having a universal connection with the other ends of. said arms and'theother ofl said rotatable elements for connecting theml together. A 7

lll. A flexible coupling including two rotatable elements, two Varmsl each pivoted intermediate the ends thereof to one ofsaidrotatable elements, the adjacent ends of said arms having transversely aligned openings, means including a member viding a sliding them, and. links having a universal connec- 4 tion with the other ends ofsaid arms and the j said rotatable elements, two arms other of said rotatable elementsfor connecting them together. v

15. A flexible couplingiincludiiig two rotatable elements, two pins secured to one of pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on said pinsv and having transversely aligned openings in the adjacent ends thereof, means including a member extending through said l v aligned openings for connecting the adjacent ends of said arms, and links having a' universal connection with the other ends of said arms and the other of said rotatable elements forconnecting them together.

16. A flexible coupling including two rotatable elements, two pins secured to one of means for pivot-- ally connecting the adjacent ends of saidV extendingj through the openings in said arms for proy pivotal connection between said rrotatable elements, twol arms lpivotally mounted intermediate the'ends thereof onv a guidefor said member 

